A WOMAN fears becoming "the next Garry Newlove" after being terrorised' for two years in her own home.

Christine Crawshaw, 44, has lived on Industry Street, Darwen, since she was forced out of her home on Redearth Road in 2006 to make way for the new academy building.

She said that along with her two teenage children and the 84-year-old female family friend who lodges with them she lives in fear of the teenage gangs that hang around the area during the evening and weekends, causing damage to cars and property.

Last week, three teenagers were found guilty of murdering Garry Newlove, 47, who died two days after being "kicked like a football" when he confronted a gang outside his home in Warrington in August 2007.

Christine, a full-time carer, said: "No one is doing anything about these yobs and I will go out to confront them, because if I don't, no one else will.

"I'm very worried about being the next Garry Newlove - it will happen again somewhere, hopefully not here."

Christine estimates that it has cost her thousands of pounds to repair damage to her property.

She said: "Gangs of teenagers rip wing mirrors of cars, smash windows, and a few days ago kicked the spotlight on my Mini Cooper so hard that they bent the front grille.

"They're not stealing anything, it's just sheer vandalism. They're terrorising residents.

"My 84-year-old lodger has been spat at and had cigarette ash flicked at her.

"I've been on anti-depressants and I'm in counselling because of the constant abuse I get."

Coun Roy Davies, who represents the Sudell ward, said: "I know the police have had a problem over the last few years with people damaging wing mirrors and so on.

"I've had a wing mirror smashed off myself and there's very little you can do about it - if you put it through your insurance it'll send your premiums rocketting.

"They're now opening Knott Street Community Centre at night to encourage gangs of youths off the street and I really hope it works."

PCSO Liam Prendergast from Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We are aware of community concerns about criminal damage in the Industry Street area and we have put measures in place to help to reduce the problem.

He added: "We continue to target the known troublemakers who have previously committed criminal damage and the mobile CCTV van is actively used in the community to catch and deter offenders.

"We are currently working with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to plan a community clean up, called Beatsweep, which will involve the work of a number of agencies to target criminal damage and other issues which are affecting the quality of life for local residents."

Police urge anyone with information to contact the Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team on 01254 222135 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.